Jan. 29, 2013
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Alex Rodriguez could face a suspension. / Carlos Osorio, AP

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez could be suspended by Major League Baseball in light of a story from Miami New Times that details performance-enhancing drugs he received and used from a South Florida clinic, a person familiar with MLB's drug policy told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The New Times investigation into Biogenesis and its chief Anthony Bosch cites interviews with six customers and two former employees as well as patient files and other documents.

Documents dating to 2009 outline the drugs prescribed to Rodriguez and how much he paid, including $3,500 for one treatment. According to New Times, Bosch wrote in a personal notebook of Rodriguez: "1.5/1.5 HGH (sports perf.) creams test., glut., MIC, supplement, sports perf. Diet." HGH and testosterone are banned by MLB.

Rodriguez released a statement denying any involvement with the clinic or Bosch.

"The news report about a purported relationship between Alex Rodriguez and Anthony Bosch are not true. Alex Rodriguez was not Mr. Bosch's patient, he was never treated by him and he was never advised by him. The purported documents referenced in the story - at least as they relate to Alex Rodriguez - are not legitimate."

Bosch's client list also includes the name of Yuri Sucart, Rodriguez's cousin whom he said in February 2009 provided him with drugs when the slugger admitted to doping as a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003. Sucart is said to have paid Bosch $500 for a week-long supply of HGH, according to the New Times documents.

There is also an entry for Rodriguez labeled 2012 and reads: "He is paid through April 30th. He will owe May 1 $4,000... I need to see him between April 13-19, deliver troches, pink cream, and... May meds. Has three weeks of Sub-Q (as of April)." Bosch writes that pink cream also includes testosterone and Sub-Q refers to a mixture that includes HGH. Bosch explains that "troches" includes testosterone.

The Yankees released a statement backing MLB: "We fully support the Commissioner's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. This matter is now in the hands of the Commissioner's Office. We will have no further comment until that investigation has concluded."

There is precedent for Rodriguez to be suspended without a positive test for a banned substance. Outfielders Jay Gibbons and Jose Guillen were suspended in 2007 for non-analytical positives. Neither tested positive for a banned drug but were found to have purchased human growth hormone and steroids. Current Houston Astros outfielder Jordan Schaefer received a similar suspension as a minor leaguer in 2008.

Also implicated in the New Times story are pitcher Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals, right fielder Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, center fielder Melky Cabrera of the Toronto Blue Jays, catcher Yasmani Grandal of the San Diego Padres and pitcher Bartolo Colon of the Oakland A's.